Phil's sleep was dark, dreamless and oddly soothing. After so much torment, he gladly accepted the opportunity to rest and make up for the sleepless hours spent worrying about Dan.
Dan…He thought he'd dreamt of him. That he had finally come back.
But as Phil slowly opened his eyes and awoke from his unexpected slumber, he shoved the thought away. A nice dream, but nothing else.
He sighed and closed his eyes once more, setting his head against the pillow and letting the warm rays of the Sun wash over him.
A distant clattering suddenly made its way into Phil's mind, tugging him back to reality. Could it be that…
He silently pushed the covers back and got out of bed, quietly making his way into the kitchen. His breath caught in his throat the moment he saw Dan, who had his back to him and was facing the counter.
He turned around holding a fuming mug in his hands, only to let out a yelp the moment he saw his friend standing quietly in the doorway. «Phil! »
Dan's protest only made Phil smile. He was feeling better already and that extra sleep had been just what he'd needed to recover. «Hey, Dan. » Came the answer. Smooth, relaxed and rested.
Dan just stood there, staring at his friend with a bewildered expression on his face, as he tried to process the information he had been presented with.
Only when he realized the scalding mug burning his fingers did he turn and break the eye contact. Phil's eyes followed him nonetheless, taking in his every move and waiting for him to speak. Dan, however, stayed silent.
«You shouldn't have left. » You shouldn't have abandoned me. Phil's voice sounded out, with a soft, accusing undertone, to which Dan immediately reacted, spinning around to face his friend.
«And you shouldn't have got out of bed. » Was his snide remark, although the relief he felt from seeing his best friend up and about was obvious.
Phil hung his head, almost ashamed. «If you could just tell me why- » He started, only to be almost immediately interrupted by Dan.
«Because you're sick, that's why. » He muttered, trying to change the subject, but realizing right away that there was no hope for that.
Phil merely shook his head and lowered his gaze. «I meant, why did you leave? »
And right at that moment, the question Dan had been fearing and expecting since he'd gotten back, had been asked.
«Because… » He really had no explanation- None that would seem plausible, anyway, or that could at least preserve his already tattered dignity. «Drink your tea. »
He finished coldly, shoving the mug into his friend's hands and walking past him into the living room.
Phil just stood there, staring at his friend's back once again through the vapor rising from the tea.
Dan, meanwhile, had plopped down on the sofa, where he spent the time sulking and ready to avert his eyes if his friend had appeared in the kitchen doorway.
The older boy, however, didn't move, aside from setting the mug down on the table.
Dan's voice made Phil lift his gaze once again.
«Don't ever say you're messing up my life… » He muttered, leaning against the wall. Phil looked on, waiting for him to continue.
«Because my life is nothing without you. » Dan finished, his voice soft, while he fought against himself to keep his gaze on his friend's.
And with that he was gone, before Phil could catch even a glimpse of the blush which reddened Dan's cheeks.
However hard Phil tried to stay put, he couldn't possibly let his friend turn on his once again. Not after how much it had hurt the first time.
He silently swore he would never let Dan leave again; not like this, at least, not without knowing if or when he'd be coming back.
Phil himself wasn't sure what he was feeling as he hurried after Dan and, after taking his shoulder, forced him to turn around and face him. «Don't do that. » He whined, while a small smile played on his lips.
Dan couldn't see it, unfortunately, as he stubbornly avoided Phil's gaze and crossed his arms across his chest. Of course I had to go and make a fool of myself. The thought of appearing weak in front of Phil bothered him and so did his previous words in the kitchen; it just felt wrong, so wrong.
On the other hand, though, he had been honest and that was probably what was scaring him most; that the time spent away from Phil could've awakened something more crossed Dan's mind and that too added to his general unease.
Phil, however, seemed perfectly relaxed, as if he knew he had everything under control.
This bothered Dan even more and he shot an annoyed glance at his friend, about to ht him with some kind of remark.
But he couldn't think of anything to say and, even if he had, he wasn't sure he would've been able to speak with Phil's bright eyes staring up at his.
The older one broke the stillness first, reaching up and brushing Dan's chin with two fingers.
He wasn't even sure what he was doing as he tilted Dan's head up, allowing him to see straight in his eyes, but he had missed him so much…
Neither one drew back when their lips touched. Dan's crossed arms slid down along his hips, as he leaned in to receive the kiss.
For some reason, it made everything better and left both wanting more and refusing to draw back.
Uncertain, at first, as to what he should do, Phil slowly reached behind Dan's back and gently pulled him closer as both tongues explored the other's mouth greedily.
In that moment, nothing existed apart from them and a soft fuzzy darkness surrounded them and gently pushed them to pursue what they had kept secret even from themselves.
Once the kiss was broken, neither had the desire to pull away from the bliss which seemed to envelop them.
They stood there, at the center of the living room, forehead against forehead, their eyes closed and deep breaths escaping their damp lips.
Phil felt as though, if he let go, Dan would fade and vanish in thin air, so his hand stayed put against his friend's back, gently but possessively.